Just two years ago, Mississippi State failed to muster even 40 points in a horribly lopsided Sweet 16 loss. But in a win Sunday that clinched a second straight Final Four, the Bulldogs showed just how much their offense has improved.

Top-seeded Mississippi State held off UCLA to book a return trip to the national semifinals. Behind 24 points from Victoria Vivians and 23 points and 21 rebounds from Teaira McCowan, the Bulldogs advanced and will play Louisville in the Final Four.

Just three years ago, all four No. 1 seeds reached the Final Four. Will chalk hold all the way to Columbus, or will there be upsets in the Elite Eight? Oregon, not defending-champion South Carolina, might be the No. 2 seed that shakes things up.

Victoria Vivians was the greatest high school scorer Mississippi has ever seen. Monique Billings and Jordin Canada starred on courts all around Los Angeles. Now, the seniors look to keep their seasons alive when Mississippi State plays UCLA.

Whether it's seniors Jordin Canada (UCLA), Brooke McCarty (Texas) or Morgan William (Mississippi State), or NC State sophomore Kaila Ealey, the Kansas City Regional will have some of the best point guard play in the Sweet 16.

Courtney Lyle ESPN

ALL ACCESS from KC! We take u behind the scenes from the Sprint Center where Miss St, Texas, UCLA & NC State battle for a Final Four berth. Games start Friday 7ET ESPN 🏀

Jordin Canada scored 21 points and Japreece Dean added 16 points to lead third-seeded UCLA to an 86-64 victory over No. 11 seed Creighton in the second round of the women's NCAA Tournament on Monday night.

Monique Billings scored 20 points and had 10 rebounds, Kennedy Burke added 15 points to lead No. 3 seed UCLA to a 71-60 win over 14th-seeded American University in the first round of the women's NCAA Tournament on Saturday.

Jordin Canada and Monique Billings grew up playing basketball against each other. Now seniors at UCLA with one final shot in the NCAA tournament, the duo complement each other and know they need each other to make it past the Sweet 16.

The milestones keep coming this season for Oregon, which clinched a spot in its first Pac-12 tournament title game. But it came -- once again -- at the expense of UCLA, which, despite an 0-3 mark against the Ducks, looks like a "Final Four-caliber" team.